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The European Union will help restore the Druzhba oil pipeline after damage disrupted flows of Russian crude to Hungary, as a political dispute between Kyiv and Budapest threatens wider financial support for Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday that Ukraine has accepted an EU offer of technical assistance and funding to complete repairs on the pipeline, which was damaged in January during Russian strikes.
In a joint message to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa said a swift repair would help unlock progress on both the financial package and sanctions.
Zelenskyy, in a letter released by the EU, confirmed that Ukraine accepted "necessary technical support and funding" and instructed the state energy company Naftogaz to coordinate with European partners on completing the work.
The issue comes as global oil markets face renewed pressure linked to the Iran conflict, prompting European governments to seek ways to stabilize supply and contain price increases.
The Druzhba pipeline is one of the world’s longest and oldest oil pipeline networks and has served for decades as a key route for transporting Russian crude to Central and Eastern Europe. The system divides into two main branches: a northern route that runs through Belarus toward Poland and Germany, and a southern route that passes through Ukraine and continues to Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.
Hungary and Slovakia, both reliant on the land-based Druzhba pipeline, had accused Ukraine of intentionally slowing repair work. Kyiv has rejected those claims, maintaining that the damage resulted from Russian attacks.
The dispute has escalated into a broader political standoff. Hungary has blocked a €90 billion ($104 billion) EU loan package for Ukraine, along with a new round of sanctions targeting Russia. Ukraine had previously pushed back against linking pipeline repairs to broader EU support, with Zelenskyy describing such pressure as "blackmail."
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called on the EU to reconsider sanctions on Russian energy, arguing that restrictions contribute to rising costs.
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